I couldn't think of a better time to write this then now. Just like many of you, I like to drink and eat sweets, but sometimes overdo! With the Holidays Approaching, and I'm sure a Hell of a Sweet Halloween Hangover, what better time then now to join my Pre-Holiday Renewal Cleanse!

But First, did you know that: food plays an important role in how much you get sick or stay well? Because of this, it also plays a role in the direction of your life, and eating the right stuff can be medicine for your body, mind and soul! I know, because when I was eating unhealthy, I had to take antibiotics whenever I got sick, and inhalers and steroids from having asthma! But once I changed my diet to one of whole foods back in my 30's, I can truthfully say I haven't had an asthma attack or taken any medication for 15-20 years, and it's been about 10 years since I've taken an antibiotic! I have to admit that a period of abstinence from alcohol to one of moderate drinking has also helped. In those years when I drank more heavily, I was also sick more often.

Changing my diet has also changed the way my life has played out in other ways too! It brought me into the health and healing world, where I have been able to help so many people, opened my eyes to new possibilities, interests and personal growth, and helped me believe that I can work for myself. This would not have happened had I never questioned the tiny little box that I grew up in! I've learned a lot in that little box, but I wanted to move beyond it too! Every day, I am so grateful to be on this path! That's why I'm so passionate to share what I've learned with you! By doing a Whole Foods Cleanse, you too can learn how to eat for health and start to move away from sickness.

CHANGE THIS...

TO GET THIS!

I don't know about you, but I have noticed a direct correlation to Loving myself when I take good care of my body, to Hating myself when I don't! That's why I believe in moderation, so when I overdo I go on a Whole Foods Cleanse to reset my Body, Mind & Spirit and Get Back to Loving Myself!

Understanding The Energetics of Food to Help You: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on using food to prevent and treat disease. Instead of describing foods by how much protein, fat, or calories they contain, TCM focuses instead on the quality of food and how to use it in your life.What this means is that foods have a distinct energy and characteristic properties, that can balance and nourish our bodies, making us healthy, or that create imbalances resulting in sickness. They also carry a vibration. Having knowledge of food energetics can help you build a stronger sense of health and wellbeing. Food and Vibration: Everything in the universe is energy and energy vibrates; there are no exceptions. This includes the food we eat! And the higher the vibration of food we eat, the more health there will be. So it's important to eat high vibrational food! Meaning food that is alive and that comes from nature! Let me explain...

Be conscious of the foods you eat.Some foods vibrate at higher frequencies, and some lower (broccoli has a high vibration as do blueberries; Big Macs don't vibrate at all). The reason for this is that broccoli and blueberries come directly from nature, have very little processing, and especially if organic will carry a higher vibration. However, Big Macs even with their lettuce, tomatoes and meat which comes from nature, have gone through so much processing that there will be no or very little vibrational frequency in the food, leading to poor health. These animals are also given antibiotics & hormones, along with an unnatural diet of GMO foods. They live a short and painful life of Factory Farming. All of these processes lower their vibration, and so will also lower our health as we continuously eat them. As for the lettuce and tomatoes by the time they get to your plate, there will be little if any nutrients at all, as they are sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, and who knows what country they may be coming from!

So... If you are consuming processed foods covered in chemicals and pesticides, or foods found within plastic packaging, it will leave you vibrating lower. You want to consume good quality organic produce, good quality grass fed, organic and farm raised animals, and food as nature intended it.

OTHER FUN FACTS FOR YOU TO INTEGRATE ON THE ENERGETICS OF FOOD In order to maintain health and promote optimal healing:Eat Seasonally– This means eat the FOODS, the fruits, vegetables & herbs that grow during that season. This is nature’s way of saying we need these foods during this time.

For example: During the Summertime, you want to eat more cooling fruits and lighter greens as this is when they are at their peak in harvest. These foods are also cooling to the body.

During the Wintertime, heartier vegetables, such as deeply rooted carrots, squashes and pumpkins grow more abundantly and add warmth to the body.

Eat Locally - Eating from your own garden or buying produce from your local farmers’ market will leave you feeling more connected. The best is from your own garden. Farmer’s markets are more sustainable. Because we are connected to nature, we are meant to eat the foods that are grown locally. Also the closer the food is to your home, the less time it has to be packed, processed and delivered where it loses it’s nutritional value.

Cook and Eat Mindfully – Home cooked foods are always best as you know how it’s prepared. You have more control of what you put in it. Slowing the pace of our meals and eating in a relaxed setting is mindful eating, which also allows us to absorb more of the nutrients from our food as we take our time to chew.Most importantly, pay attention to how this way of eating makes your body feel.

The picture below shows a chart of what Foods to eat and how to prepare in order to get a certain quality or mood. Check it out and try it on for fun. Let me know if you notice a difference in the quality of your mood when you choose these certain foods and preparations. I'd love to hear from you!

So...Don't forget to join my cleanse...it starts this Thursday, Nov. 5th!! Learn how a Whole Foods Diet can make you healthy! Anyone can do this for two weeks!!!

Or...

If you prefer to work 1:1 to learn how a Whole Foods Diet can help you and your health, then contact me to set up your 50 min. NO FEE Strategy Session ASAP.

We're Not Born Just to Pay the Bills and Die! I love this statement, because it made me realize that if I'm living this way,then I'm already dead, and I just couldn't accept that!

As a Health Coach, I wanted to address this because I think our beliefs around money are a big proponent as to whether or not we have Poor Health or Good Health! If we are living just to pay the bills, then how could our health not be affected? This was something I recently had to address in my own life!

A DECISION TO CHANGEHooray, I made a big decision! At least for me it was. I decided to let go of one day a week working as a Massage Therapist for somebody else, so I could focus on building my own Massage & Health Coaching Practice. It took me 2 years to make this decision! Why? Because I was fearful about not making money! I had been working 6 days a week working for others and their dreams because I was so afraid to go out and get it for myself! My mind was racing with thoughts of what if's and where is the money gonna come from? I was also scared because in order to get the clients and the money, I would now have to be responsible for making this happen on my own.

With this bad economy, I got into the trap like so many others about lack of money and working in jobs that bring no meaning. I was depressed from living my life just to pay the bills (that I had to finally dosome soul searching), and decided it was more important to have a life with meaning than it was to worry about money. So I moved to a smaller apartment, let go of my car and paid off my credit cards. I'm still worried about the money but that's okay, because this is a process. What's important is I'm happier and I get to work on my own business! My energy has shifted and I am making room in my life for my own dreams! I'm worth it, and so are you!!

ON MONEY AND WORTHINESSJust like everything else, I believe that money is energy. I'm still working this out, so I'm not sure how well it will sound, but I believe there is a connection with our inner Worth and how Money plays out in our lives. When we Value the Worthiness of our dreams, it's because we have an inner feeling of Wealth about us...meaning we believe in ourselves and possibly something greater to make it happen (which takes a lot of inner work). This Worthiness opens us up to something greater than ourselves, until we finally take the steps toward our dreams, and the Universe loves this!

Energy starts shifting because we have put ourselves out there to receive, and suddenly support, people and money start showing up. I know this is deep stuff, but to me is what true Wealth is all about! Each time I have trusted in myself and in something greater, things happen (or as the saying goes, mountains move). It's not always about being wealthy on the outside, but whenever I follow my heart, I am always Wealthy on the inside!

WHERE ARE YOU IN THE SPECTRUM? Letting go of income for something you can't quite see yet, is not an easy decision. This made me wonder about you? How has, or is money showing up in your life/health at this time? Are you living just to pay the bills? Do you have feelings of depression that you're not listening to? Are you using Food or Alcohol to numb your feelings on this issue?

OR... Do you still have hope? Would you prefer to live Big rather than Small? Do you dream to have something more for your life, but don't know where to start? Are you ready to risk having something greater for yourself?

I may not be a money coach, but I do understand what it's like to live small from feelings of lack in my life, whether it be lack of money or lack of worthiness. I also understand that this lack can be the cause of getting stuck in emotional eating and drinking. That's why it's so important I reach out to you!When we get stuck in emotional eating and drinking, it's usually from something deeper we're unable to look at, and money and worthiness issues could be that deeper issue for you. I've done and continue to do the deeper work, and that's where I can help you! I work with those suffering from emotional eating and drinking!!

1. JournalingTo get you started on how money and worthiness play out in your life, try journaling. Buy yourself a pretty journal and pen, and give yourself time to write everyday. As you write, notice where your fears around money are stopping you from going for your dreams? Note where SELF-WORTH, VALUE, MONEY & WEALTH are lacking in your life and what you need to do to get these back. Allow whatever comes up to be okay and try to bring to light what's been hidden. The joy at the other end is worth it. Truth is: You can't really bring to life that which is hidden in the dark anyway.

2. Self-Compassion ExercisesKeeping self-compassion and gentleness is very important as you start to face what comes up for you. Here is a link to one of my favorite websites on Self-Compassion. Try these exercises. My favorite is The Self-Compassion/Loving Kindness Meditation. I've been meditating on it everyday and have committed to doing this for 30 days straight.http://self-compassion.org/category/exercises/#guided-meditations

No matter where you are in the spectrum, be gentle with yourself. We all go back and forth between feelings of worthiness or feelings of lack in our lives. The best way out of this is to be honest with yourself, do the inner work, stop being afraid to feel, and get support. I'd love to see the light of your dreams shine upon you too.

3. Get a MassageDid you know that the more you give to yourself, the more the Universe gives back? Did you know that getting a massage not only helps with relaxation, chronic and acute pain, and preventing injuries, but it is also one of the most kindest and compassionate things you can do for yourself?It is not selfish, in fact, it is how we start feeling more worthiness in our lives. Nor is it being indulgent, but rather it is a sign of self-care. If you want more worthiness and self-care in your life, then schedule a massage with me. Just reply here to set something up right away, or check out my website first: http://www.pathtoessentialhealth.com/massage-therapy.html

4. Work with MeIf you resonate with any of these issues, but find you are having a difficult time doing the work alone, then work with me! My work is specifically geared toward women who struggle with Alcohol and Food Moderation caused by deeper emotional issues. If you fit into this category and are ready to do the work for greater change in your life then contact me. Schedule a 50-Minute, NO FEE, Breakthrough session today. Reply here or feel free to checkout my website first: http://www.pathtoessentialhealth.com/health-coaching.html

I made an investment too: Making an Investment, to hire my own Health Coach(es) has really shifted who I am. I have a lot more awareness around the emotional reasons for my drinking and other bad patterns in my life, am making better choices as a result, faced my money fear to let go of a day (so I can market my own Health Coaching Practice), am clearer about my goals, make gratitude and self-compassion a priority in my life, have more time for relaxation, fun and dating, and have a deeper sense of owning my dreams and bringing more meaning into my life!

5. Sign up for my Clean Eating, Pre-Holiday Renewal CleanseNot only does Clean Eating help you lose weight, improve digestion, increase energy, and give you glowing skin, but it also releases the toxins caused by poor quality food and too much alcohol. Clean Eating clears your mind of fog and raises your body's vibrations. That's right, just like us, food actually vibrates. When you eat poor quality food, you are lowering your body's vibration and causing poor health. On the other spectrum, when you eat whole foods from nature, you are raising your body's vibration and bringing in good health. As you begin to vibrate at higher levels, life begins to unfold in wonderful ways that cannot happen from consuming too many toxins! If having good health and raising your vibration appeals to you, then check out my Pre-Holiday Clean Eating Program (and the Early Bird rates). It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just click here:http://www.pathtoessentialhealth.com/pre-holiday-clean-eating.html.

​Does this blog resonate with you? How can you relate to lack of money or worthiness in your life? Do you struggle with this? Or...How have you been successful and what has worked for you? I'd love to hear from you...your stories...the struggles and the successes! Everything is confidential, so please feel free to respond. Let's make a change in our thinking and in our lives. Please feel free to share this with others who might be struggling with these issues too. Let's shine our stories and make a change for worthiness in our lives!! And, please remember to click on the FB like button below. Thank you!

Oh how I love this time of the year! As Memorial Day kicks off, I'm reminded of all the opportunities to be outdoors more...going for long walks and hikes, riding my bike, weekend road-trips, summer festivals, family graduations, barbecues and get togethers. But, one of my favorites is unwinding and hanging out with a friend(s) at one of Chicago's outdoor restaurants drinking a delicious refreshing beverage, my favorites being a glass of red wine or a margarita. However, with the Memorial Weekend ahead, and all the opportunities for celebrations and parties, along with drinking being done by everyone around you, it can be difficult to stay within Moderation...but it can be done!

...By alternating alcohol with mocktails, we can stay within moderation. As a matter of fact, alternating is crucial if you want to stay within moderation! The first step is to decide on how many alcoholic beverages you will drink for that event, before you even go out! There is no one magic number for everyone, but most people pick about 2 with no more than 3 drinks if they are going to moderate. The point is to pick a number and stick with it. Once you decide on what that number is, the commitment gets easier.

My Gift to You:﻿Three recipes of my favorite delicious Mocktails below!﻿The next commitment you'll want to make is to alternate between drinking alcohol and water, or try one of my three (3) delicious mocktails! Because drinking mocktails are so much more delicious than drinking plain ole water, it should be easier to stay within moderation. Not only are mocktails delicious, but they are also refreshing and hydrating and they keep the body cool. They also prevent brain fog and that sad, bad feeling we call a hangover. And of course, they keep you safe and healthy!

One of the suggestions I make if you are going to alternate is to shoot for one, or better yet two glasses of mocktails, in between each alcoholic beverage. Play with this and see what works best for you.

Drinking mocktails in a fancy glass also keeps you out of the lime light. Fancy glasses make your drink more appealing and attractive, and helps you to avoid those uncomfortable questions from others as to why your not drinking.

So please enjoy my recipes below! Take on the challenge of alternating your drinks this Memorial Weekend, and let me know how it all worked out for you, or if it didn't work out for you! Feel free to share this with a friend or on your fb page!

My Second Gift to You,when you sign up for my newsletter:A downloadable guide on Tips, Tricks & Sips for Drinking in Moderation. I created this guide (with love) as an opt-in freebie for those of you who sign up to my newsletter. So please enjoy, and do let me know if you decide to try out some of my tips on drinking in moderation. I would love to hear from you!To sign up, click here:http://eepurl.com/biY74zTo yours in health and safety this holiday weekend!Enjoy my recipes below!!Hugs,

Patty

Sparkling Cranberry(makes 2 glasses)

Place the sparkling water, cranberry and lime juice in a large martini shaker. Add ice and shake to combine. Add more ice (optional) to 2 glasses and divide the mixture evenly. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Place mint, lime & sweetener to the bottom of a large martini shaker. Using a wooden spoon, crush the mixture until the mint is slightly bruised. Next, add ice and top with sparkling water. Stir to combine. Add more ice (optional) to 2 glasses and divide the mixture evenly. Garnish with mint sprigs.

The Green Goddess(makes 2 glasses)

Blend all ingredients in the blender and pour over a couple of ice cubes. You may also choose to strain if it's too chunky for you. All of these ingredients can be adjusted to taste. This can also be topped with mineral water.Compliments to Caitlin Padgett, my Health Coach, for allowing me to share this recipe.

You say you want to lose weight, avoid disease, and age better, but you can’t! You say you want to fit into those skinny jeans…but blame it on your inherited genes when you don’t? As a health coach, I hear this over and over again…I can’t change! It’s in my genes! Well guess what, scientists are now finding out that you are not doomed by your genes! The belief that your inherited “genes control your health” are now long gone. This means that you actually have some control over how you age, over your health and over fitting into those skinny jeans! Read on…As usual, I’m studying! It’s an on-line course for Nutrition Specialist and it’s been pretty fascinating so far. Even though I know this already, what I’m learning is that the genes you inherit do not decide your destiny! What does decide your gene destiny is your environment and what you eat. Let me repeat, your genes are changed in response to your environment and food choices, and it’s these choices that actually shape our biology. That your nutrition and environment (whether good or bad) is what switches your genes on and off. So for those of you who want to lose weight and/or improve your health, this is good news!

I Know This To Be True:Back in the days when my weight was on a roller-coaster ride, I realized later it had to do with all the bad processed/bad nutritious food I was eating. When I started to change my diet by eliminating dairy, sugar and white flower (long enough to change my addictions and bad habits to these foods), and started adding in more whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, my weight went down and evened out. I went from a size 14 in my early 20’s to a size 6 in my mid 30’s, and I’m still a size 6 in my 50’s. I changed what could have been my inherited gene expression, but I also had to change my environment (save that for another blog)!

Genes Are Not Destiny:"What’s increasingly clear from these early findings is that genetic factors identified so far make only a small contribution to obesity risk—and that our genes are not our destiny. Many people who carry these so-called “obesity genes” do not become overweight, and healthy lifestyles can counteract these genetic effects." To read more about this, go to:http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/genes-and-obesity/.

Point is, we are not victims of our heredity! We can continue to change our genetic activity and evolve by our environment. And, we evolve in our environment not only by what we eat, but by what we breathe and touch, by how we feel, what we do, what we think and believe, how we live, and what we perceive (real or imagined). And, it’s in all these areas, that I as a Health Coach can help you!

No More excuses: So often, I hear things like, I’m too old to lose weight, or I’d lose weight if I exercised more. Some of this is true, but much of it is not. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to eat right! But you also have to know how to eat right for your particular body! And, you have to know what’s getting in the way of this from your environment too!

So, no more blaming your genes on your jeans! If you want to get back into those skinny jeans, if you want to change your health and your environment, then ﻿work with me﻿. Schedule a 50 minute complimentary Health Consultation to find out how your nutrition and your environment affects your genes, and let me help you get back into those skinny jeans!

Replenish - Renew - RechargeWHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CLEANSING?

THE 11-DAY PRE-HOLIDAY RENEWAL CLEANSE:For 11-15 days, would you be willing to change the way you eat if you knew you could feel amazing and have optimal health? Would you be willing to eat a whole-foods diet if you could:

Have more Energy and glowing skin

Lose weight naturally

Look younger and feel lighter

Reduce your toxic load (and the extra pounds it keeps on)

Crank up your metabolism, big time

Boost your immune system for the cold and flu season

Fit into your holiday outfit!

Did you know that it is recommended we cleanse at least 4x a year - per season? If I could do it, so could you! I knew it was time for me to cleanse. I was having cravings, feeling very bloated and getting cranky...here's why?

BECAUSE EVERYDAY WE ARE PUTTING BIG TIME TOXINS INTO OUR BODIES!﻿That's right, we bring toxins into our bodies everyday in three ways. And overtime, these wreak havoc on our bodies:

Through the food we eat, specifically processed foods, sugar, coffee, alcohol and food that we are allergic to, such as wheat, dairy, nuts, etc. Many are not even aware of this until they do a cleanse!

From pollutants in our environment, specifically for us city folks. Need I say more!

From many of our household products. These include cleaning products that we inhale through our olefactory system, along with our everyday skin care products that go right through the pores of our skin.

THIS CAUSES INFLAMMATION!!Yep! When we continue to bombard our system with bad quality foods, pollutants and chemicalized skin, hair and household products, our systems become inflammed!

The first signs of inflammation show up in small ways, such as insomnia, low energy, feeling bloated, gassy, muscle aches & pains, allergies, eczema, constipation, constant colds, depression & weight gain. However, it's not too late to change! If we continue to ignore these signs, then bigger diseases begin to occur, such as High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer, Asthma, Arthritis and a host of autoimmune diseases that are cropping up more and more in our society today. Still, it's not too late to change. I hear story after story of how many people have turned some of these problems around, just from eating a plant-based whole foods diet. I did and so could you!IT ALL STARTS IN THE GUT!It all starts in the gut, first through our digestion and then through the large intestines. The large intestine acts as a protective barrier against foreign substances, keeping them out. It also acts to allow in recognizable substances, such as nutrients which come from a plant-based whole foods diet. We also need what is called Intestinal Flora and Beneficial Bacteria that is necessary for gut health. So...when we constantly bombard our guts, cells and blood with toxins and undigested food, these bacteria are not able to keep fighting off disease, and thus cause a host of problems that start in our guts (the gut is actually considered our second brain). This then turn into inflammation in our bodies, and finally causes chronic disease! This information comes from the book, "Clean Gut" by Alejandro Junger, M.D.

A LITTLE ABOUT MEI love to do cleanses. I always feel so much better afterwards. But, I'm just as human as you. I can bombard my body with coffee, wine and processed food too. Don't get me wrong, I eat very healthy, but when I go out, I go all out! ﻿Cleanses resets my system﻿!! I've seen too many people struggle with weight and chronic disease, be on every form of medication and constantly get sick. What I don't understand is why would anyone let this happen? Food is our MEDICINE or our POISON! As I say in every story, here I am in my mid-50's and I have yet to remember when I last took any medication, even antibiotics. I do not get the flu shot and I very rarely get colds. I also know that you can lose weight at any age. I was overweight as a teenager and into my 20's, but ever since I changed my diet to one of whole foods, I've been at a consistent weight. So could you. Do you have what it takes to do this? I THINK YOU DO. HOWEVER, IT'S A MINDSET...ONE THAT'S UP TO YOU!!

THE ACTUAL CLEANSEThe 11-Day Pre-Holiday Renewal Cleanse goes for a total of 15 days. It begins Sunday, November 2nd through Sunday, November 16th. This is a whole foods, elimination diet with Fall friendly recipes. Can I just say, the recipes in this cleanse are the best in any cleanse I have ever done!! Vegans or Meat eaters can do this. It can be done on your own (DIY), in a private facebook group I have set up for this, or with a 1:1 coaching consultation. ALL AT A LOW COST, MY COACHING AND FOR YOUR HEALTH!

What’s included in this Cleanse?

Fall Clean Eating Guide: a step-by-step manual showing you how to cleanse in a safe and natural way.

Recipe Guide: packed with over 60 scrumptious recipes that will improve digestion, decrease inflammation, and keep you feeling satisfied.

11 Days At a Glance: a day-by-day overview of your entire cleanse, with easy-to-follow recipes that make this journey easy as 1-2-3

A Shopping List: to make trips to the supermarket super simple, which makes prepping, preparing, and cooking for your cleanse a breeze

The Ultimate Success Kit: this handy toolbox has everything you need to make your detox success last a lifetime

Diary: this amazing tool will help you keep track of how you’re feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout the program

To Grain or Not to Grain handout: figure out if grains are right for you with this short and simple guide!

Daily Email Support: just like it sounds, I will email you daily to provide support & accountability

Cleansing with the support of Essential Oils: (Optional)

*A Private Facebook Forum: A supportive community to get daily support throughout your cleanse!

* Not included for DIY Cleansers.

To learn more about me and this cleanse click here: Pre-Holiday Renewal Page , or sign up now using the paypal buttons below! Please feel free to do this with a friend or loved one. Those in the same household can get it for the price of one!

Pre-Holiday Renewal Cleanse

TWO DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU WILL ENJOY ON THIS CLEANSE

First, I want to dedicate this blog to my mother who passed away on December 28, 2013 and to acknowledge her for raising me on the belief of a balanced diet. I am grateful that I have been able to take this belief with me, so that I can go beyond the knowledge of what she taught me and so that I can pass this on to others. It is because of what she taught me that makes me who I am today!GROWING UP: I grew up on the Standard American Diet (SAD), meaning that most of the foods I ate were packaged processed foods vs. fresh whole foods that come from nature. It also means, that I was on every diet from the time I was a teenager until about 30 years of age. When I wasn't on a diet, I was a compulsive eater shoving down my mouth whole containers of ice cream, loaves of cinnamon bread, donuts, candy, potato chips, etc. You name it, I couldn't eat just one...I was always hungry for more! I was addicted to sugar...the sugar that is in most of our processed foods. And guess what folks, this is why there is an obesity epidemic, chronic illnesses and why diets don't work!!I didn't know yet that diets didn't work, that it was the chemicals in the food that was causing my addictions for more, and causing my roller-coaster of a life to continue. I would try diet pills, laxatives and speed to lose weight. I was in a losing battle and I felt like a failure! I was fat, ugly with pimples, insecure and had no self-worth. To make matters worse, I had no one to talk to about all of these bad thoughts and feelings in my mind and body...so I ate, I smoked and I drank. I was addicted to food and I was an emotional eater! I hated my life, I had no confidence and I hid all these bad feelings behind my addictions. To top that off, I had a lot of anger inside me. I needed help!With 9 siblings, there wasn't a lot of money, so our food choices were limited. However, I do credit my mom for trying to make sure that we always ate a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein and produce, but most of our fruits and vegetables were frozen or out of a can and our grains came from starchy processed foods. However, my mom didn't know better, she was just following the USDA's Standard American Diet (SAD), on a tight budget and doing her best. But basically folks, the USDA's guidelines are more geared to marketing for the food industry and not necessarily for your health. Processed foods are meant to keep you coming back for more and to keep you failing at your diets. Basically, to keep you fat & sick!THE SPARK THAT CHANGED ME: Call it an Inner Voice or God, but I felt a call to listen to it, and in my mid 20’s I started to change my life around. I stopped drinking alcohol for a while (I do have my occasional wine now and then) and I went into therapy to help me with my inner demons. As I started to take care of myself in this area, I became more interested in my health and began implementing a whole based diet into my life of good quality proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. I changed my diet from one of processed foods to whole foods and suddenly my need for more just disappeared. And finally, I quit smoking. This was all a slow process that happened over the years, but the point is that now over 20 years later, I can eat as much as I want because of the quality of the foods I eat and I feel pretty damned good in my 50’s.In the last few years, stress took over and I started to slip backwards, so my body began screaming back at me. You see, once you get healthy, the body can be an amazing tool! When we listen to it, it will help us to make really great decisions. It’s hard to turn back, once we become aware. Now years later, I realized that this way of eating has prevented me from having to be on any medications, not even an antibiotic! And I believe it's because food has been my medicine!!MY AWAKENING: Now all the while, as I am doing my best at eating well and being healthy, I sadly had to watch many of my loved ones die and suffer from what I believe is a poorly established medical system when it comes to health. It started with my brother who died at age 35 from leukemia and my father from arteriosclerosis. Then this past June of 2013, I watched my sister die of COPD and in December of 2013 my mother passed away. The hard part about this for me is that they were just following doctor’s orders. I would try to talk to them about eating a healthier diet, but the truth is, as long as the medical profession does not see how food plays a critical role in either health or sickness, neither would they. I felt helpless as I watched them being fed nutritional poison along with one medication after another and would wonder how can such an intelligent establishment not know any better about nutrition? I could not understand why patients weren’t given instructions on how to be healthy when they left the hospital. Why wasn’t nutrition being prescribed as part of their healing? I felt helpless and I wanted to change this!MY NEW VENTURE: In January of 2014, I signed up for a year-long training to be a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I decided that I no longer wanted to feel helpless in my knowledge and in my ability to be able to teach and educate others on the value of food and how it affects one’s life. Although I am not a nutritionist, this training is giving me the tools to guide others to a healthier way of eating, along with a more radiant and abundant life. Because I have been able to get to the other side of my own past battles with life and my struggles with food, along with the addictions, emotional eating and lack of self-worth that came with it, I now know and have the tools to guide others out of this too. And it will be my pleasure for those who really want this. I truly know and believe that we don’t have to suffer in life, when we are living it right according to God’s plan or according to nature, whichever one you want to believe…I just hope you will believe!!